Aircraft vertical stabilizer design

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a vertical stabilizer comprises an airfoil structure configured to be mounted to an aircraft at a vertical orientation. The airfoil structure comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the trailing edge is configured to form a blunt shaped edge. The airfoil structure further comprises a root end and a tip end, wherein the airfoil structure is tapered from the root end to the tip end. The airfoil structure is also cambered. Finally, the airfoil structure is further configured to be mounted with a rotor, and is also further configured to house one or more internal components associated with the aircraft.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to aircraft design, and moreparticularly, though not exclusively, to a design for a verticalstabilizer.

BACKGROUND

Many aircraft, such as helicopters and other rotorcraft, include avertical stabilizer to provide stability and other aerodynamic benefitsduring flight. The design of a vertical stabilizer implicates numerousperformance considerations and is often an extremely challenging aspectof aircraft design.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vertical stabilizercomprises an airfoil structure configured to be mounted to an aircraftat a vertical orientation. The airfoil structure comprises a leadingedge and a trailing edge, wherein the trailing edge is configured toform a blunt shaped edge. The airfoil structure further comprises a rootend and a tip end, wherein the airfoil structure is tapered from theroot end to the tip end. The airfoil structure is also cambered.Finally, the airfoil structure is further configured to be mounted witha rotor, and is also further configured to house one or more internalcomponents associated with the aircraft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example rotorcraft in accordance with certainembodiments.

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate an example embodiment of a horizontal stabilizer.

FIGS. 3A-B illustrate performance graphs for an example embodiment of ahorizontal stabilizer.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of a slatted horizontalstabilizer.

FIGS. 5A-F illustrate an example embodiment of a vertical stabilizer.

FIGS. 6A-B illustrate performance graphs for an example embodiment of avertical stabilizer.

FIG. 7 illustrates a comparison of trailing edge shapes for a verticalstabilizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure describes various illustrative embodiments andexamples for implementing the features and functionality of the presentdisclosure. While particular components, arrangements, and/or featuresare described below in connection with various example embodiments,these are merely examples used to simplify the present disclosure andare not intended to be limiting. It will of course be appreciated thatin the development of any actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedeveloper's specific goals, including compliance with system, business,and/or legal constraints, which may vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that, while such a developmenteffort might be complex and time-consuming, it would nevertheless be aroutine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationshipsbetween various components and to the spatial orientation of variousaspects of components as depicted in the attached drawings. However, aswill be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete readingof the present disclosure, the devices, components, members,apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desiredorientation. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,”“lower,” or other similar terms to describe a spatial relationshipbetween various components or to describe the spatial orientation ofaspects of such components, should be understood to describe a relativerelationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspectsof such components, respectively, as the components described herein maybe oriented in any desired direction.

Further, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/orletters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose ofsimplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationshipbetween the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Example embodiments that may be used to implement the features andfunctionality of this disclosure will now be described with moreparticular reference to the attached FIGURES.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a rotorcraft 100. Rotorcraft100 includes a fuselage 110, a rotor system 120, and an empennage 130.The fuselage 110 is the main body of the rotorcraft, which may include acabin for the crew, passengers, and/or cargo, and may also house certainmechanical and electrical components, such as the engine(s),transmission, and flight controls. The rotor system 120 is used togenerate lift for the rotorcraft using a plurality of rotating rotorblades 122. For example, torque generated by the engine(s) causes therotor blades 122 to rotate, which in turn generates lift. Moreover, thepitch of each rotor blade 122 can be adjusted in order to selectivelycontrol direction, thrust, and lift for the rotorcraft 100. Theempennage 130 is the tail assembly of the rotorcraft. In the illustratedembodiment, the empennage 130 includes a tail rotor system 140, whichmay be used to provide anti-torque and/or directional control.

In the illustrated embodiment, the empennage 130 also includes ahorizontal stabilizer 150 and a vertical stabilizer 160. In general, astabilizer is an aerodynamic surface or airfoil that produces anaerodynamic lifting force (either positive or negative). For example, astabilizer may be a fixed or adjustable structure with an airfoil shape,and may also include one or more movable control surfaces. The primarypurpose of a stabilizer is to improve stability about a particular axis(e.g., pitch or yaw stability), although a stabilizer can also provideother secondary aerodynamic benefits.

A horizontal stabilizer (e.g., horizontal stabilizer 150) is primarilyused to provide stability in pitch, or longitudinal stability. Forexample, both the rotor and fuselage of a rotorcraft typically have aninherent negative stability derivative in pitch, and accordingly, ahorizontal stabilizer may be used to neutralize pitch instability andimprove the overall handling qualities of the rotorcraft. A horizontalstabilizer may also be used to generate lift for a rotorcraft, forexample, to aid in climb or ascent. In some cases, a horizontalstabilizer may also include one or more movable control surfaces, suchas an adjustable slat to aid in generating lift. The design of ahorizontal stabilizer (e.g., airfoil shape, size, position on arotorcraft, control surfaces) implicates numerous performanceconsiderations and is often an extremely challenging aspect of aircraftdesign.

A vertical stabilizer (e.g., vertical stabilizer 160) is primarily usedto provide stability in yaw, or directional stability. Althoughconsiderable yaw stability and control is often provided by a tailrotor, a vertical stabilizer may be used to supplement the performanceof the tail rotor and/or reduce the performance requirements of the tailrotor. Accordingly, designing a vertical stabilizer and a tail rotoroften implicates numerous interrelated performance considerations,particularly due to the interaction between their respective airflows.For example, a smaller vertical stabilizer may reduce the adverseeffects on tail rotor efficiency, but may adversely impact yaw stabilityand other design requirements (e.g., sideward flight performance,internal capacity for housing components within the verticalstabilizer). Accordingly, various performance considerations must becarefully balanced when designing a vertical stabilizer.

This disclosure describes various embodiments of horizontal and verticalstabilizers with designs that balance a variety of performanceconsiderations to provide optimal performance. For example, thisdisclosure describes embodiments of a horizontal stabilizer that isdesigned to provide strong aerodynamic performance (e.g., pitchstability and/or generating sufficient lift during climb or ascent)without using slats. The horizontal stabilizer uses a tailored airfoildesign that is cambered and may form a concave slope on the top surfaceand/or a convex slope on the bottom surface. In some embodiments, thehorizontal stabilizer may be mounted on the aft end of a rotorcraft. Byobviating the need for slats, this horizontal stabilizer design reducescomplexity without a performance penalty, thus resulting in a morecost-efficient and reliable solution. Moreover, eliminating the slatssimilarly eliminates the need to provide anti-icing for the slats, thusproviding a further reduction in complexity.

As another example, this disclosure describes embodiments of a verticalstabilizer that is designed to provide strong aerodynamic performance,while also serving as a structural mount for a high tail rotor and asthe housing for certain internal components (e.g., the tail rotordriveshaft and other tail rotor components). Accordingly, the verticalstabilizer uses a tailored airfoil design that satisfies various designcriteria, including strong aerodynamic performance (e.g., yaw stability,anti-torque control, minimal flow separation and drag), dimensions largeenough to house various components internally, easy maintenance access(e.g., in the event of a bird strike), and/or reduced manufacturingcomplexity. In some embodiments, for example, the vertical stabilizermay have a cambered airfoil shape that provides the requisite yawstability and anti-torque control while also minimizing flow separationand drag. The cambered airfoil shape, for example, may enable thevertical stabilizer to provide a portion of the anti-torque required inforward flight (e.g., reducing the anti-torque requirements and powerconsumption of the tail rotor), and/or may also provide sufficientanti-torque to allow continued flight in the event of a tail rotorfailure. The cambered airfoil shape may also enable the verticalstabilizer to provide sufficient aerodynamic side-force to offset thetail rotor thrust in forward flight, thus minimizing tail rotor flappingand cyclic loads and maximizing the fatigue life of components.Moreover, in some embodiments, the vertical stabilizer may have a blunttrailing edge (rather than a pointed trailing edge) in order to reducethe thickness tapering on the aft end without modifying the desiredchord length, thus minimizing flow separation and drag while alsoreducing manufacturing complexity.

Example embodiments of a horizontal stabilizer and vertical stabilizerare described below with more particular reference to the remainingFIGURES. Moreover, it should be appreciated that rotorcraft 100 of FIG.1 is merely illustrative of a variety of aircraft that can be used withembodiments described throughout this disclosure. Other aircraftimplementations can include, for example, fixed wing airplanes, hybridaircraft, tiltrotor aircraft, unmanned aircraft, gyrocopters, a varietyof helicopter configurations, and drones, among other examples.

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate an example embodiment of a horizontal stabilizer200. As described further below, FIG. 2A illustrates a three-dimensionalview of the horizontal stabilizer, FIG. 2B illustrates the airfoil shapeof the horizontal stabilizer, and FIG. 2C illustrates a two-dimensionalview of the horizontal stabilizer.

FIG. 2A illustrates a three-dimensional view of horizontal stabilizer200. In the illustrated embodiment, horizontal stabilizer 200 is mountedon the aft end of a rotorcraft. In some embodiments, for example,horizontal stabilizer 200 may be mounted on the aft spar structure of avertical stabilizer for simplicity and more effective use of tailvolume. In the illustrated embodiment, horizontal stabilizer 200includes a leading edge 202, trailing edge 204, inboard end 206, andoutboard end 208. Moreover, horizontal stabilizer 200 is designed usingan aerodynamic airfoil shape 210 that is cambered and forms a concaveslope on the top surface and a convex slope on the bottom surface. Thisairfoil shape 210 provides various aerodynamic benefits, includingfavorable pitch stability and lift coefficients (e.g., increasing theamount of lift produced at a given angle of attack), favorable stallcharacteristics (e.g., enabling ascent at higher angles of attackwithout stalling, thus resulting in faster ascent), and a favorableoverall lift-to-drag ratio. Notably, this aerodynamic airfoil shape 210enables horizontal stabilizer 200 to achieve these aerodynamic benefitseven without using slats or other types of adjustable control surfaces.By obviating the need for slats, this horizontal stabilizer designreduces complexity and weight without a performance penalty, and thusresults in a more cost-efficient and reliable design. Moreover,eliminating the slats similarly eliminates the need to provideanti-icing for the slats, thus providing a further reduction incomplexity.

FIG. 2B illustrates the airfoil shape 210 of horizontal stabilizer 200.The illustrated airfoil shape 210 includes a leading edge 202, trailingedge 204, top surface 212, and bottom surface 213. The illustratedairfoil shape 210 is also cambered and forms a concave slope on the topsurface 212 and a convex slope on the bottom surface 213. The meancamber line 211 of airfoil shape 210 is also shown (e.g., the line drawnhalfway between the upper and lower surfaces of the airfoil). Camberrefers to the asymmetry between the top and the bottom surfaces of anairfoil, and is used in airfoil designs to provide various aerodynamicbenefits.

Compared to the illustrated airfoil shape 210, other horizontalstabilizer airfoil designs may have relatively less camber, a flat topor bottom surface, and/or slats for producing additional lift (e.g., theslatted horizontal stabilizer 400 of FIG. 4). The illustrated airfoilshape 210, however, eliminates the need for slats by using anaerodynamic airfoil design that has more camber 211 and forms a concaveslope on the top surface 212 and a convex slope on the bottom surface213. As described throughout this disclosure, the cambered airfoil shape210 of horizontal stabilizer 200 provides various aerodynamic benefits,including pitch stability, a higher maximum lift coefficient (e.g.,increasing the amount of lift produced at a given angle of attack),improved stall characteristics (e.g., ascending at higher angles ofattack without stalling and thus resulting in faster ascent), and animproved lift-to-drag ratio.

Example design parameters (e.g., coordinates, camber, and thickness) forthe horizontal stabilizer airfoil shape of FIG. 2B are provided in TABLE1.

TABLE 1 Design parameters for horizontal stabilizer airfoil shape (FIG.2B) Y Coordinates X Upper Lower Point Coordinates Surface Surface CamberThickness 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.001049 0.0041355 −0.0061515 −0.001008 0.0102873 0.002508 0.0060715 −0.0098295 −0.001879 0.015901 4 0.004466 0.00782−0.013356 −0.002768 0.021176 5 0.0056 0.0086285 −0.0150565 −0.0032140.023685 6 0.006827 0.0093995 −0.0167235 −0.003662 0.026123 7 0.0081410.010138 −0.018354 −0.004108 0.028492 8 0.009539 0.010846 −0.019948−0.004551 0.030794 9 0.011021 0.0115255 −0.0215215 −0.004998 0.033047 100.012584 0.0121825 −0.0230765 −0.005447 0.035259 11 0.01423 0.012818−0.024616 −0.005899 0.037434 12 0.015958 0.0134345 −0.0261425 −0.0063540.039577 13 0.017769 0.014033 −0.027659 −0.006813 0.041692 14 0.0196660.014615 −0.029167 −0.007276 0.043782 15 0.021651 0.015183 −0.030669−0.007743 0.045852 16 0.023725 0.015738 −0.032168 −0.008215 0.047906 170.025891 0.0162805 −0.0336645 −0.008692 0.049945 18 0.028152 0.0168105−0.0351605 −0.009175 0.051971 19 0.030511 0.01733 −0.036656 −0.0096630.053986 20 0.032972 0.01784 −0.038154 −0.010157 0.055994 21 0.0355370.018339 −0.039655 −0.010658 0.057994 22 0.038211 0.01883 −0.04116−0.011165 0.05999 23 0.040997 0.0193115 −0.0426675 −0.011678 0.061979 240.043899 0.019783 −0.044181 −0.012199 0.063964 25 0.046922 0.020247−0.045699 −0.012726 0.065946 26 0.050071 0.0207025 −0.0472225 −0.013260.067925 27 0.053349 0.02115 −0.048752 −0.013801 0.069902 28 0.0567630.021589 −0.050287 −0.014349 0.071876 29 0.060316 0.0220195 −0.0518235−0.014902 0.073843 30 0.064015 0.0224425 −0.0533645 −0.015461 0.07580731 0.067865 0.0228565 −0.0549105 −0.016027 0.077767 32 0.0718730.0232635 −0.0564595 −0.016598 0.079723 33 0.076043 0.023661 −0.058013−0.017176 0.081674 34 0.080383 0.0240495 −0.0595695 −0.01776 0.083619 350.084899 0.0244305 −0.0611265 −0.018348 0.085557 36 0.089598 0.024802−0.062684 −0.018941 0.087486 37 0.094487 0.025164 −0.06424 −0.0195380.089404 38 0.099575 0.0255165 −0.0657945 −0.020139 0.091311 39 0.1048680.02586 −0.067344 −0.020742 0.093204 40 0.110374 0.0261925 −0.0688845−0.021346 0.095077 41 0.116103 0.026514 −0.070416 −0.021951 0.09693 420.122064 0.026815 −0.071927 −0.022556 0.098742 43 0.128265 0.0270915−0.0734195 −0.023164 0.100511 44 0.134717 0.027345 −0.074891 −0.0237730.102236 45 0.141428 0.0275725 −0.0763385 −0.024383 0.103911 46 0.148410.0277745 −0.0777585 −0.024992 0.105533 47 0.155673 0.02795 −0.079148−0.025599 0.107098 48 0.163227 0.028097 −0.080503 −0.026203 0.1086 490.171086 0.028215 −0.081819 −0.026802 0.110034 50 0.17926 0.028302−0.083094 −0.027396 0.111396 51 0.187762 0.0283585 −0.0843225 −0.0279820.112681 52 0.196605 0.028381 −0.085501 −0.02856 0.113882 53 0.2058030.02837 −0.086624 −0.029127 0.114994 54 0.21537 0.028323 −0.087687−0.029682 0.11601 55 0.22532 0.028238 −0.088678 −0.03022 0.116916 560.235669 0.028115 −0.089597 −0.030741 0.117712 57 0.246432 0.0279495−0.0904395 −0.031245 0.118389 58 0.257627 0.0277425 −0.0912005 −0.0317290.118943 59 0.26927 0.0274895 −0.0918735 −0.032192 0.119363 60 0.2813790.027191 −0.092453 −0.032631 0.119644 61 0.293972 0.026843 −0.092931−0.033044 0.119774 62 0.30707 0.026443 −0.093301 −0.033429 0.119744 630.320691 0.0259905 −0.0935545 −0.033782 0.119545 64 0.334858 0.0254805−0.0936865 −0.034103 0.119167 65 0.349591 0.024906 −0.093694 −0.0343940.1186 66 0.364911 0.0242275 −0.0935795 −0.034676 0.117807 67 0.3808420.0234335 −0.0933275 −0.034947 0.116761 68 0.397407 0.0225125 −0.0929125−0.0352 0.115425 69 0.414631 0.021459 −0.092307 −0.035424 0.113766 700.432539 0.0202625 −0.0914885 −0.035613 0.111751 71 0.451158 0.018916−0.090436 −0.03576 0.109352 72 0.470515 0.0174085 −0.0891365 −0.0358640.106545 73 0.490641 0.015732 −0.087582 −0.035925 0.103314 74 0.5107570.013951 −0.085843 −0.035946 0.099794 75 0.530125 0.012143 −0.084015−0.035936 0.096158 76 0.548773 0.0103215 −0.0821395 −0.035909 0.09246177 0.566729 0.0084995 −0.0802435 −0.035872 0.088743 78 0.5840230.0067255 −0.0783555 −0.035815 0.085081 79 0.60068 0.0050175 −0.0764895−0.035736 0.081507 80 0.616726 0.003382 −0.074644 −0.035631 0.078026 810.632183 0.001822 −0.072824 −0.035501 0.074646 82 0.647075 0.0003415−0.0710295 −0.035344 0.071371 83 0.661421 −0.0010575 −0.0692605−0.035159 0.068203 84 0.675242 −0.0023775 −0.0675185 −0.034948 0.06514185 0.688558 −0.0036175 −0.0658025 −0.03471 0.062185 86 0.701387−0.0047775 −0.0641125 −0.034445 0.059335 87 0.713748 −0.005859 −0.062447−0.034153 0.056588 88 0.725657 −0.006866 −0.060806 −0.033836 0.05394 890.737131 −0.0077995 −0.0591885 −0.033494 0.051389 90 0.748186 −0.008662−0.05759 −0.033126 0.048928 91 0.758838 −0.0094555 −0.0560105 −0.0327330.046555 92 0.7691 −0.0101855 −0.0544465 −0.032316 0.044261 93 0.778987−0.010853 −0.052895 −0.031874 0.042042 94 0.788514 −0.0114475 −0.0513505−0.031399 0.039903 95 0.797695 −0.011948 −0.049808 −0.030878 0.03786 960.806541 −0.012369 −0.048267 −0.030318 0.035898 97 0.815064 −0.0127205−0.0467295 −0.029725 0.034009 98 0.823276 −0.0130115 −0.0451965−0.029104 0.032185 99 0.831187 −0.0132465 −0.0436695 −0.028458 0.030423100 0.838808 −0.0134345 −0.0421495 −0.027792 0.028715 101 0.84615−0.013577 −0.040639 −0.027108 0.027062 102 0.853222 −0.0136795−0.0391425 −0.026411 0.025463 103 0.860035 −0.013744 −0.037658 −0.0257010.023914 104 0.866597 −0.0137735 −0.0361925 −0.024983 0.022419 1050.872918 −0.013771 −0.034747 −0.024259 0.020976 106 0.879007 −0.013737−0.033323 −0.02353 0.019586 107 0.884871 −0.013675 −0.031925 −0.02280.01825 108 0.89052 −0.013585 −0.030553 −0.022069 0.016968 109 0.89596−0.0134685 −0.0292115 −0.02134 0.015743 110 0.901199 −0.0133275−0.0279005 −0.020614 0.014573 111 0.906245 −0.013163 −0.026623 −0.0198930.01346 112 0.911104 −0.0129745 −0.0253775 −0.019176 0.012403 1130.915783 −0.0127645 −0.0241675 −0.018466 0.011403 114 0.920289 −0.012532−0.022992 −0.017762 0.01046 115 0.924627 −0.0122785 −0.0218535 −0.0170660.009575 116 0.928804 −0.0120045 −0.0207495 −0.016377 0.008745 1170.932825 −0.011709 −0.019681 −0.015695 0.007972 118 0.936696 −0.011393−0.018647 −0.01502 0.007254 119 0.940422 −0.0110565 −0.0176495 −0.0143530.006593 120 0.944008 −0.0107 −0.016686 −0.013693 0.005986 121 0.947458−0.010323 −0.015755 −0.013039 0.005432 122 0.950777 −0.009926 −0.014858−0.012392 0.004932 123 0.95397 −0.009507 −0.013993 −0.01175 0.004486 1240.957041 −0.0090685 −0.0131595 −0.011114 0.004091 125 0.959993−0.0086055 −0.0123565 −0.010481 0.003751 126 0.962829 −0.008122−0.011584 −0.009853 0.003462 127 0.965554 −0.007614 −0.010842 −0.0092280.003228 128 0.968171 −0.0070825 −0.0101275 −0.008605 0.003045 1290.970682 −0.0065245 −0.0094415 −0.007983 0.002917 130 0.973089 −0.005939−0.008783 −0.007361 0.002844 131 0.975395 −0.0053265 −0.0081515−0.006739 0.002825 132 0.977612 −0.00472 −0.007544 −0.006132 0.002824133 0.979747 −0.004135 −0.006959 −0.005547 0.002824 134 0.981804−0.003572 −0.006396 −0.004984 0.002824 135 0.983785 −0.0030285−0.0058535 −0.004441 0.002825 136 0.985693 −0.002507 −0.005331 −0.0039190.002824 137 0.987531 −0.0020025 −0.0048275 −0.003415 0.002825 1380.989302 −0.001518 −0.004342 −0.00293 0.002824 139 0.991007 −0.001051−0.003875 −0.002463 0.002824 140 0.99265 −0.0006005 −0.0034255 −0.0020130.002825 141 0.994232 −0.0001675 −0.0029925 −0.00158 0.002825 1420.995756 0.0002505 −0.0025745 −0.001162 0.002825 143 0.997224 0.000652−0.002172 −0.00076 0.002824 144 0.998638 0.001039 −0.001785 −0.0003730.002824 145 1 0.001412 −0.001412 0 0.002824

FIG. 2C illustrates a two-dimensional view of an example embodiment ofhorizontal stabilizer 200. In the illustrated embodiment, horizontalstabilizer 200 has a rectangular shape with four sides that include aleading edge 202, trailing edge 204, right outboard end 210 a, and leftoutboard end 210 b. In some embodiments, horizontal stabilizer 200 maybe implemented using the following design parameters: a chord of 23.5inches, span of 140.98 inches, total area of 23 square feet, maximumthickness of 12% (measured as a percentage of chord length), and angleof incidence in the range of 0.0 degrees to −2.0 degrees to achieve alevel cabin during cruise. In various embodiments, for example, theangle of incidence could be −0.5 degrees, −0.75 degrees, or −1.0degrees. Moreover, in some embodiments, horizontal stabilizer 200 may bepositioned on a rotorcraft based on the following waterline (WL), buttline (BL), and fuselage station (FS) locations: BL ranging from 0.0inches (at the middle of the horizontal stabilizer) to +−70.49 inches(at the left and right outboard ends of the horizontal stabilizer), anda mean aerodynamic center (MAC) at FS 658.98 inches, BL 0.0 inches, andWL 68.98 inches. The butt line (BL) refers to the lateral alignmentrelative to the center of a rotorcraft, the fuselage station (FS) refersto the alignment along the length of the rotorcraft (e.g., from the noseor another reference point near the forward end of the rotorcraft), andthe waterline (WL) refers to the height from the ground or anotherreference point below the rotorcraft. The described embodiment ofhorizontal stabilizer 200 can result in a stall margin of approximately39% in level flight (approximately 61% of the max lift coefficient) andno stall margin in max climb. The described embodiment also provides anacceptable pitch attitude during autorotation descent and is designed tostall during steep autorotation (e.g., to avoid producing an upthrustand an undesirable nose-down pitching moment on the fuselage).

The various design and configuration parameters described for horizontalstabilizer 200 are merely examples associated with a particularembodiment. In other embodiments and/or aircraft, horizontal stabilizer200 may be implemented using varying design and configurationparameters.

FIGS. 3A-B illustrate performance graphs for an example embodiment ofthe horizontal stabilizer of FIGS. 2A-C. The graph of FIG. 3A plots 303the lift coefficient 301 of the horizontal stabilizer at varying anglesof attack 302. In the illustrated graph, as the angle of attackincreases, the lift coefficient generally increases and thus more liftis generated, until reaching an angle of attack that causes thehorizontal stabilizer to stall. The graph of FIG. 3B plots 313 the dragcoefficient 311 of the horizontal stabilizer at varying angles of attack312. As reflected by the graphs of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the design of thehorizontal stabilizer of FIGS. 2A-C results in favorable liftcoefficients (e.g., increasing the amount of lift produced at a givenangle of attack), favorable stall characteristics (e.g., enabling ascentat higher angles of attack without stalling, thus resulting in fasterascent), and a favorable overall lift-to-drag ratio.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of a slatted horizontalstabilizer 400. The slatted horizontal stabilizer 400 includes a primaryairfoil 410 and one or more adjustable slats 411 near the leading edge.The adjustable slats 411 may be used to produce certain airflowcharacteristics at varying angles of attack, for example, to increasethe amount of lift produced by the horizontal stabilizer. The use ofadjustable slats 411, however, increases the complexity of a horizontalstabilizer, and may also require an aircraft to provide anti-icingcapabilities for the adjustable slats. By contrast, the horizontalstabilizer 200 of FIGS. 2A-C is designed to achieve the performancebenefits of a slatted design without using slats, thus eliminating theneed for both the slats themselves and for any associated anti-icingcapabilities, which reduces the complexity, weight, and cost of thestabilizer while improving the overall performance of the aircraft.Compared to the slatted horizontal stabilizer 400 of FIG. 4, forexample, the horizontal stabilizer 200 of FIGS. 2A-C has more camber, atop surface that has a concave slope rather than being flat, and noslats.

FIGS. 5A-F illustrate an example embodiment of a vertical stabilizer500. As described further below, FIGS. 5A-C illustrate three-dimensionalviews of the vertical stabilizer, FIGS. 5D-E illustrate the airfoilshape of the vertical stabilizer, and FIG. 5F illustrates atwo-dimensional view of the vertical stabilizer. In some embodiments,the design of vertical stabilizer 500 (or a similar variation) can alsobe used for other fairings, including gear sponsons, sail fairings,spinners, and so forth.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate three-dimensional views of verticalstabilizer 500. In the illustrated embodiment, vertical stabilizer 500is mounted on the aft end of a rotorcraft, and includes a leading edge502 and a trailing edge 504. Vertical stabilizer 500 is also tapered,and thus gradually decreases in size from bottom to top. Moreover, insome embodiments, vertical stabilizer 500 may be a fixed structure withno adjustable control surfaces. Vertical stabilizer 500 is designed toprovide strong aerodynamic performance, while also serving as astructural mount for a high tail rotor and as the housing for certaininternal components (e.g., the tail rotor driveshaft and other tailrotor components, spar structures, hydraulic systems, cooling systems,and so forth). For example, the design of vertical stabilizer 500enables a tail rotor to be mounted near the top of the stabilizer (e.g.,high enough to provide head clearance) and also enables the tail rotorto be positioned in the tip-path-plane (TPP) of the main rotor (e.g., tominimize left wheel down roll coupling in hover). The design of verticalstabilizer 500 also enables transportability (e.g., in a C5 transport)without disassembling the tail boom or the vertical stabilizer.Accordingly, vertical stabilizer 500 uses a tailored airfoil shape 510that satisfies various design criteria, including strong aerodynamicperformance (e.g., yaw or directional stability and control, anti-torquecontrol, minimal flow separation and drag), dimensions large enough tohouse various components internally and provide a mount for the tailrotor, easy maintenance access (e.g., in the event of a bird strike),and reduced manufacturing complexity.

FIGS. 5D and 5E illustrate the airfoil shape 510 of vertical stabilizer500. As noted above, vertical stabilizer 500 is tapered and thus itssize and shape varies slightly from top to bottom. Accordingly, theairfoil shape of vertical stabilizer 500 near the top is illustrated inFIG. 5D, and the airfoil shape of vertical stabilizer 500 near thebottom is illustrated in FIG. 5E.

As shown in FIGS. 5D and 5E, the airfoil shape 510 of verticalstabilizer 500 includes a leading edge 502 and trailing edge 504, and aright side 512 and left side 513. In the illustrated embodiment, thetrailing edge 504 is blunt rather than pointed. The airfoil shape 510 ofvertical stabilizer 500 is also cambered, and the mean camber line 511for the top and bottom portion is respectively shown in FIGS. 5D and 5E(e.g., the line drawn halfway between the right side 512 and left side513 of the airfoil). In some embodiments, for example, the camber of theairfoil shape 510 forms a convex slope on the right side 512, and both aconvex slope and a concave slope on the left side 513. The airfoil shape510 of vertical stabilizer 500 provides yaw stability and anti-torquecontrol while also minimizing flow separation and drag. For example, thecamber of airfoil shape 510 produces a portion of the anti-torquerequired for stability in forward flight (e.g., approximately half therequisite anti-torque in some cases), thus reducing the anti-torquerequirements and power consumption of the tail rotor. The resultinganti-torque may also be sufficient to allow continued flight in theevent of a tail rotor failure. The camber of airfoil shape 510 can alsoproduce sufficient aerodynamic side-force to offset the tail rotorthrust in forward flight, thus minimizing tail rotor flapping and cyclicloads and maximizing the fatigue life of components. Moreover, thetrailing edge 504 of the airfoil shape 510 is blunt rather than pointedin order to reduce the thickness tapering on the aft end withoutmodifying the desired chord length, thus minimizing flow separation anddrag while also reducing manufacturing complexity (as described furtherin connection with FIG. 7).

Example design parameters (e.g., coordinates, camber, and thickness) forthe vertical stabilizer top airfoil shape of FIG. 5D are provided inTABLE 2, and example design parameters for the vertical stabilizerbottom airfoil shape of FIG. 5E are provided in TABLE 3.

TABLE 2 Design parameters for vertical stabilizer top airfoil shape(FIG. 5D) Y Coordinates Upper Lower Point X Coordinates Surface SurfaceCamber Thickness 1 0 0 0 0.007819 0 2 0.001148 0.02621 −0.0132940.006458 0.039504 3 0.002367 0.034617 −0.019189 0.007714 0.053806 40.003471 0.0403845 −0.0231005 0.008642 0.063485 5 0.004836 0.0462755−0.0270995 0.009588 0.073375 6 0.006483 0.052279 −0.031041 0.0106190.08332 7 0.008432 0.0583855 −0.0350475 0.011669 0.093433 8 0.009530.0614715 −0.0370355 0.012218 0.098507 9 0.010711 0.0645785 −0.03904250.012768 0.103621 10 0.011979 0.0677035 −0.0410595 0.013322 0.108763 110.013337 0.070844 −0.04298 0.013932 0.113824 12 0.01479 0.073998−0.044914 0.014542 0.118912 13 0.016336 0.077164 −0.046878 0.0151430.124042 14 0.017981 0.080338 −0.048884 0.015727 0.129222 15 0.0197260.083518 −0.050904 0.016307 0.134422 16 0.021573 0.0867025 −0.05292250.01689 0.139625 17 0.023526 0.089886 −0.054888 0.017499 0.144774 180.025582 0.093068 −0.056808 0.01813 0.149876 19 0.027748 0.096245−0.058713 0.018766 0.154958 20 0.030025 0.0994135 −0.0605915 0.0194110.160005 21 0.032412 0.102572 −0.062428 0.020072 0.165 22 0.0349110.105717 −0.064241 0.020738 0.169958 23 0.037525 0.108844 −0.066030.021407 0.174874 24 0.040254 0.1119525 −0.0677885 0.022082 0.179741 250.043098 0.1150385 −0.0695165 0.022761 0.184555 26 0.046058 0.1180985−0.0712105 0.023444 0.189309 27 0.049135 0.1211315 −0.0728675 0.0241320.193999 28 0.05233 0.124133 −0.074485 0.024824 0.198618 29 0.0556440.1271015 −0.0760555 0.025523 0.203157 30 0.059075 0.130034 −0.0775840.026225 0.207618 31 0.062622 0.1329305 −0.0790705 0.02693 0.212001 320.06629 0.1357855 −0.0805135 0.027636 0.216299 33 0.070075 0.1385965−0.0819125 0.028342 0.220509 34 0.073978 0.1413635 −0.0832635 0.029050.224627 35 0.077999 0.1440835 −0.0845695 0.029757 0.228653 36 0.0821380.1467565 −0.0858285 0.030464 0.232585 37 0.086394 0.1493765 −0.08704050.031168 0.236417 38 0.090767 0.1519455 −0.0882035 0.031871 0.240149 390.095257 0.1544605 −0.0893205 0.03257 0.243781 40 0.099863 0.15692−0.09039 0.033265 0.24731 41 0.104585 0.159322 −0.091416 0.0339530.250738 42 0.109424 0.1616655 −0.0923975 0.034634 0.254063 43 0.1143780.1639495 −0.0933335 0.035308 0.257283 44 0.119447 0.1661725 −0.09422650.035973 0.260399 45 0.124631 0.1683315 −0.0950755 0.036628 0.263407 460.12993 0.170428 −0.095884 0.037272 0.266312 47 0.135344 0.172459−0.096653 0.037903 0.269112 48 0.140873 0.1744245 −0.0973825 0.0385210.271807 49 0.146515 0.176322 −0.098074 0.039124 0.274396 50 0.1522720.1781525 −0.0987245 0.039714 0.276877 51 0.158144 0.1799125 −0.09933450.040289 0.279247 52 0.16413 0.1816015 −0.0999035 0.040849 0.281505 530.170229 0.183219 −0.100433 0.041393 0.283652 54 0.176443 0.184765−0.100923 0.041921 0.285688 55 0.182772 0.1862365 −0.1013685 0.0424340.287605 56 0.189215 0.1876325 −0.1017745 0.042929 0.289407 57 0.1957730.1889535 −0.1021435 0.043405 0.291097 58 0.202446 0.1901965 −0.10247450.043861 0.292671 59 0.209234 0.191361 −0.102767 0.044297 0.294128 600.216137 0.1924475 −0.1030235 0.044712 0.295471 61 0.223157 0.1934515−0.1032435 0.045104 0.296695 62 0.230292 0.1943765 −0.1034285 0.0454740.297805 63 0.237545 0.1952165 −0.1035745 0.045821 0.298791 64 0.2449140.1959725 −0.1036865 0.046143 0.299659 65 0.2524 0.196645 −0.1037610.046442 0.300406 66 0.260005 0.1972275 −0.1038015 0.046713 0.301029 670.267728 0.1977225 −0.1038065 0.046958 0.301529 68 0.27557 0.198128−0.103776 0.047176 0.301904 69 0.283532 0.198443 −0.103709 0.0473670.302152 70 0.291613 0.1986665 −0.1036045 0.047531 0.302271 71 0.2998160.198793 −0.103461 0.047666 0.302254 72 0.308139 0.1988245 −0.10327650.047774 0.302101 73 0.316585 0.198759 −0.103051 0.047854 0.30181 740.325153 0.198594 −0.102784 0.047905 0.301378 75 0.333845 0.1983275−0.1024715 0.047928 0.300799 76 0.342661 0.197959 −0.102113 0.0479230.300072 77 0.351601 0.1974845 −0.1017065 0.047889 0.299191 78 0.3606670.1969025 −0.1012485 0.047827 0.298151 79 0.369858 0.1962135 −0.10073350.04774 0.296947 80 0.379178 0.195427 −0.100159 0.047634 0.295586 810.388632 0.1945975 −0.0995255 0.047536 0.294123 82 0.398222 0.1937265−0.0988265 0.04745 0.292553 83 0.40795 0.1928095 −0.0980635 0.0473730.290873 84 0.417817 0.1918455 −0.0972295 0.047308 0.289075 85 0.4278250.190828 −0.096322 0.047253 0.28715 86 0.437976 0.189755 −0.0953370.047209 0.285092 87 0.448271 0.1886215 −0.0942655 0.047178 0.282887 880.458712 0.187421 −0.093101 0.04716 0.280522 89 0.469146 0.1861685−0.0918585 0.047155 0.278027 90 0.479428 0.184881 −0.090553 0.0471640.275434 91 0.489559 0.1835555 −0.0891855 0.047185 0.272741 92 0.499540.1821925 −0.0877565 0.047218 0.269949 93 0.509373 0.1807925 −0.08626450.047264 0.267057 94 0.519061 0.1793545 −0.0847125 0.047321 0.264067 950.528603 0.1778755 −0.0831015 0.047387 0.260977 96 0.538003 0.1763615−0.0814315 0.047465 0.257793 97 0.547262 0.174809 −0.079705 0.0475520.254514 98 0.55638 0.1732185 −0.0779265 0.047646 0.251145 99 0.565360.171591 −0.076099 0.047746 0.24769 100 0.574204 0.169928 −0.0742240.047852 0.244152 101 0.582912 0.16823 −0.072308 0.047961 0.240538 1020.591487 0.1664985 −0.0703505 0.048074 0.236849 103 0.599931 0.1647345−0.0683625 0.048186 0.233097 104 0.608244 0.162939 −0.066353 0.0482930.229292 105 0.616429 0.161114 −0.064328 0.048393 0.225442 106 0.6244870.1592625 −0.0622965 0.048483 0.221559 107 0.63242 0.1573845 −0.06026650.048559 0.217651 108 0.64023 0.1554835 −0.0582435 0.04862 0.213727 1090.647919 0.1535615 −0.0562315 0.048665 0.209793 110 0.655488 0.1516185−0.0542345 0.048692 0.205853 111 0.66294 0.1496595 −0.0522575 0.0487010.201917 112 0.670276 0.147683 −0.050303 0.04869 0.197986 113 0.6774970.145695 −0.048373 0.048661 0.194068 114 0.684607 0.143695 −0.0464730.048611 0.190168 115 0.691607 0.1416855 −0.0446035 0.048541 0.186289116 0.698498 0.1396685 −0.0427685 0.04845 0.182437 117 0.7052820.1376455 −0.0409715 0.048337 0.178617 118 0.711963 0.1356205 −0.03921450.048203 0.174835 119 0.718539 0.1335915 −0.0374995 0.048046 0.171091120 0.725016 0.1315635 −0.0358335 0.047865 0.167397 121 0.7313920.1295355 −0.0342135 0.047661 0.163749 122 0.737671 0.1275115 −0.03264750.047432 0.160159 123 0.743855 0.125491 −0.031135 0.047178 0.156626 1240.749943 0.123476 −0.02968 0.046898 0.153156 125 0.75594 0.1214655−0.0282875 0.046589 0.149753 126 0.761846 0.1194655 −0.0269575 0.0462540.146423 127 0.767662 0.117473 −0.025693 0.04589 0.143166 128 0.773390.11549 −0.024492 0.045499 0.139982 129 0.779032 0.113518 −0.0233540.045082 0.136872 130 0.78459 0.111558 −0.022278 0.04464 0.133836 1310.790065 0.1096105 −0.0212625 0.044174 0.130873 132 0.795457 0.1076745−0.0203065 0.043684 0.127981 133 0.800769 0.105753 −0.019407 0.0431730.12516 134 0.806003 0.1038455 −0.0185655 0.04264 0.122411 135 0.8111580.1019515 −0.0177775 0.042087 0.119729 136 0.816237 0.1000755 −0.01704150.041517 0.117117 137 0.82124 0.0982125 −0.0163565 0.040928 0.114569 1380.826171 0.0963675 −0.0157215 0.040323 0.112089 139 0.831028 0.094537−0.015135 0.039701 0.109672 140 0.835814 0.0927235 −0.0145935 0.0390650.107317 141 0.84053 0.090929 −0.014097 0.038416 0.105026 142 0.8451760.0891485 −0.0136425 0.037753 0.102791 143 0.849755 0.0873875 −0.01322950.037079 0.100617 144 0.854266 0.085644 −0.012856 0.036394 0.0985 1450.858712 0.083918 −0.01252 0.035699 0.096438 146 0.863093 0.0822095−0.0122215 0.034994 0.094431 147 0.86741 0.0805185 −0.0119565 0.0342810.092475 148 0.871665 0.078846 −0.011726 0.03356 0.090572 149 0.8758580.0771915 −0.0115295 0.032831 0.088721 150 0.87999 0.075554 −0.011360.032097 0.086914 151 0.884062 0.073936 −0.011214 0.031361 0.08515 1520.888076 0.072335 −0.011105 0.030615 0.08344 153 0.892031 0.070753−0.011035 0.029859 0.081788 154 0.89593 0.0691895 −0.0109835 0.0291030.080173 155 0.899771 0.067642 −0.01095 0.028346 0.078592 156 0.9035580.0661125 −0.0109465 0.027583 0.077059 157 0.90729 0.0646025 −0.01098050.026811 0.075583 158 0.910969 0.06311 −0.011058 0.026026 0.074168 1590.914595 0.061635 −0.011169 0.025233 0.072804 160 0.918169 0.060178−0.011306 0.024436 0.071484 161 0.921691 0.0587375 −0.0114635 0.0236370.070201 162 0.925163 0.057315 −0.011635 0.02284 0.06895 163 0.9285850.0559095 −0.0118155 0.022047 0.067725 164 0.931959 0.0545215 −0.01199750.021262 0.066519 165 0.935283 0.0531495 −0.0122075 0.020471 0.065357166 0.938561 0.0517955 −0.0124715 0.019662 0.064267 167 0.9417920.050459 −0.012753 0.018853 0.063212 168 0.944977 0.0491375 −0.01305750.01804 0.062195 169 0.948116 0.0478335 −0.0133835 0.017225 0.061217 1700.95121 0.0465465 −0.0137365 0.016405 0.060283 171 0.954261 0.0452735−0.0141155 0.015579 0.059389 172 0.957268 0.0440185 −0.0145225 0.0147480.058541 173 0.960231 0.042779 −0.014959 0.01391 0.057738 174 0.9631540.041556 −0.015428 0.013064 0.056984 175 0.966034 0.040347 −0.0159290.012209 0.056276 176 0.968873 0.039155 −0.016463 0.011346 0.055618 1770.971673 0.037979 −0.017033 0.010473 0.055012 178 0.974432 0.036817−0.017639 0.009589 0.054456 179 0.977152 0.03567 −0.018284 0.0086930.053954 180 0.979833 0.034536 −0.01897 0.007783 0.053506 181 0.9824770.0334195 −0.0196955 0.006862 0.053115 182 0.985083 0.032318 −0.0204620.005928 0.05278 183 0.987652 0.0312295 −0.0212715 0.004979 0.052501 1840.990184 0.030154 −0.022126 0.004014 0.05228 185 0.992681 0.0290955−0.0230215 0.003037 0.052117 186 0.995142 0.028048 −0.023964 0.0020420.052012 187 0.997569 0.027016 −0.024954 0.001031 0.05197 188 0.9999610.0259985 −0.0259885 0.000005 0.051987

TABLE 3 Design parameters for vertical stabilizer bottom airfoil shape(FIG. 5E) Y Coordinates Upper Lower Point X Coordinates Surface SurfaceCamber Thickness 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.001237 0.020048 −0.012138 0.0039550.032186 3 0.00236 0.027398 −0.016252 0.005573 0.04365 4 0.0033660.032477 −0.019109 0.006684 0.051586 5 0.004607 0.0376945 −0.02204050.007827 0.059735 6 0.006108 0.043042 −0.024986 0.009028 0.068028 70.007898 0.0485085 −0.0280185 0.010245 0.076527 8 0.008909 0.0512825−0.0295285 0.010877 0.080811 9 0.010003 0.0540815 −0.0310615 0.011510.085143 10 0.011181 0.056903 −0.032607 0.012148 0.08951 11 0.0124510.059745 −0.034129 0.012808 0.093874 12 0.013811 0.062604 −0.0356560.013474 0.09826 13 0.01527 0.0654785 −0.0371925 0.014143 0.102671 140.016827 0.068365 −0.038733 0.014816 0.107098 15 0.018487 0.071261−0.040257 0.015502 0.111518 16 0.020252 0.0741635 −0.0417655 0.0161990.115929 17 0.022126 0.0770685 −0.0432705 0.016899 0.120339 18 0.0241110.079973 −0.044767 0.017603 0.12474 19 0.02621 0.0828735 −0.04625350.01831 0.129127 20 0.028425 0.085766 −0.047726 0.01902 0.133492 210.030757 0.0886485 −0.0491785 0.019735 0.137827 22 0.033209 0.091517−0.050609 0.020454 0.142126 23 0.035782 0.0943665 −0.0520085 0.0211790.146375 24 0.038479 0.0971955 −0.0533895 0.021903 0.150585 25 0.0412990.1 −0.05475 0.022625 0.15475 26 0.044244 0.102776 −0.056088 0.0233440.158864 27 0.047314 0.1055215 −0.0574015 0.02406 0.162923 28 0.0505120.1082315 −0.0586875 0.024772 0.166919 29 0.053835 0.1109055 −0.05994350.025481 0.170849 30 0.057286 0.11354 −0.061168 0.026186 0.174708 310.060864 0.116131 −0.062361 0.026885 0.178492 32 0.064568 0.118678−0.063516 0.027581 0.182194 33 0.0684 0.121177 −0.064637 0.028270.185814 34 0.072359 0.123629 −0.065723 0.028953 0.189352 35 0.0764450.126029 −0.066775 0.029627 0.192804 36 0.080658 0.1283745 −0.06779250.030291 0.196167 37 0.084996 0.130667 −0.068775 0.030946 0.199442 380.089462 0.1329035 −0.0697235 0.03159 0.202627 39 0.094054 0.135082−0.070638 0.032222 0.20572 40 0.098772 0.137201 −0.071519 0.0328410.20872 41 0.103616 0.1392615 −0.0723615 0.03345 0.211623 42 0.1085860.14126 −0.07317 0.034045 0.21443 43 0.113681 0.1431955 −0.07394550.034625 0.217141 44 0.118903 0.1450695 −0.0746875 0.035191 0.219757 450.124251 0.146878 −0.075398 0.03574 0.222276 46 0.129725 0.1486235−0.0760735 0.036275 0.224697 47 0.135326 0.1503015 −0.0767135 0.0367940.227015 48 0.141054 0.151914 −0.077316 0.037299 0.22923 49 0.1469090.1534595 −0.0778835 0.037788 0.231343 50 0.152892 0.1549355 −0.07841750.038259 0.233353 51 0.159003 0.1563455 −0.0789155 0.038715 0.235261 520.165243 0.1576835 −0.0793795 0.039152 0.237063 53 0.171613 0.158953−0.079801 0.039576 0.238754 54 0.178113 0.1601515 −0.0801915 0.039980.240343 55 0.184745 0.161278 −0.080548 0.040365 0.241826 56 0.1915080.162333 −0.080873 0.04073 0.243206 57 0.198405 0.163314 −0.0811680.041073 0.244482 58 0.205437 0.1642225 −0.0814285 0.041397 0.245651 590.212603 0.1650555 −0.0816555 0.0417 0.246711 60 0.219906 0.165813−0.081851 0.041981 0.247664 61 0.227347 0.1664955 −0.0820175 0.0422390.248513 62 0.234928 0.1671 −0.082154 0.042473 0.249254 63 0.2426480.167626 −0.08226 0.042683 0.249886 64 0.250511 0.168073 −0.0823310.042871 0.250404 65 0.258517 0.1684405 −0.0823745 0.043033 0.250815 660.266668 0.1687275 −0.0823875 0.04317 0.251115 67 0.274966 0.1689315−0.0823695 0.043281 0.251301 68 0.283412 0.1690525 −0.0823225 0.0433650.251375 69 0.292008 0.169088 −0.082244 0.043422 0.251332 70 0.3007560.169039 −0.082131 0.043454 0.25117 71 0.309658 0.168903 −0.0819850.043459 0.250888 72 0.318716 0.1686775 −0.0818055 0.043436 0.250483 730.32793 0.1683635 −0.0815895 0.043387 0.249953 74 0.337305 0.1679595−0.0813375 0.043311 0.249297 75 0.346842 0.167476 −0.081044 0.0432160.24852 76 0.356545 0.166941 −0.080705 0.043118 0.247646 77 0.3664170.1663515 −0.0803195 0.043016 0.246671 78 0.37646 0.1657045 −0.07988450.04291 0.245589 79 0.386678 0.164997 −0.079395 0.042801 0.244392 800.397072 0.1642245 −0.0788485 0.042688 0.243073 81 0.407647 0.1633845−0.0782365 0.042574 0.241621 82 0.418403 0.1624735 −0.0775515 0.0424610.240025 83 0.429344 0.1614855 −0.0767875 0.042349 0.238273 84 0.4404730.1604185 −0.0759385 0.04224 0.236357 85 0.451792 0.1592665 −0.07499850.042134 0.234265 86 0.463303 0.158027 −0.073959 0.042034 0.231986 870.474808 0.156718 −0.07283 0.041944 0.229548 88 0.486106 0.155362−0.071628 0.041867 0.22699 89 0.497203 0.1539645 −0.0703505 0.0418070.224315 90 0.508102 0.152526 −0.068998 0.041764 0.221524 91 0.5188050.1510495 −0.0675735 0.041738 0.218623 92 0.529316 0.1495395 −0.06607750.041731 0.215617 93 0.539639 0.147994 −0.064522 0.041736 0.212516 940.549776 0.1464205 −0.0629105 0.041755 0.209331 95 0.55973 0.144818−0.061254 0.041782 0.206072 96 0.569505 0.1431905 −0.0595585 0.0418160.202749 97 0.579104 0.1415395 −0.0578315 0.041854 0.199371 98 0.588530.139867 −0.056081 0.041893 0.195948 99 0.597785 0.138177 −0.0543150.041931 0.192492 100 0.606873 0.1364695 −0.0525395 0.041965 0.189009101 0.615798 0.1347475 −0.0507635 0.041992 0.185511 102 0.62456 0.133012−0.048992 0.04201 0.182004 103 0.633165 0.1312655 −0.0472315 0.0420170.178497 104 0.641614 0.12951 −0.045486 0.042012 0.174996 105 0.649910.1277465 −0.0437625 0.041992 0.171509 106 0.658056 0.125977 −0.0420630.041957 0.16804 107 0.666054 0.1242035 −0.0403935 0.041905 0.164597 1080.673909 0.1224275 −0.0387555 0.041836 0.161183 109 0.681621 0.120649−0.037153 0.041748 0.157802 110 0.689194 0.1188715 −0.0355855 0.0416430.154457 111 0.69663 0.1170935 −0.0340575 0.041518 0.151151 112 0.7039320.1153195 −0.0325695 0.041375 0.147889 113 0.711102 0.1135465 −0.03112250.041212 0.144669 114 0.718142 0.111781 −0.029717 0.041032 0.141498 1150.725056 0.1100185 −0.0283565 0.040831 0.138375 116 0.731845 0.1082645−0.0270405 0.040612 0.135305 117 0.738512 0.106516 −0.025772 0.0403720.132288 118 0.745058 0.1047775 −0.0245515 0.040113 0.129329 1190.751487 0.103046 −0.02338 0.039833 0.126426 120 0.757801 0.1013255−0.0222575 0.039534 0.123583 121 0.764 0.099616 −0.021186 0.0392150.120802 122 0.770089 0.097916 −0.020166 0.038875 0.118082 123 0.7760680.0962285 −0.0191965 0.038516 0.115425 124 0.78194 0.0945535 −0.01827750.038138 0.112831 125 0.787707 0.0928905 −0.0174105 0.03774 0.110301 1260.79337 0.0912415 −0.0165935 0.037324 0.107835 127 0.798932 0.089606−0.015826 0.03689 0.105432 128 0.804395 0.0879845 −0.0151085 0.0364380.103093 129 0.809759 0.086376 −0.01444 0.035968 0.100816 130 0.8150280.084784 −0.013818 0.035483 0.098602 131 0.820203 0.0832065 −0.01324250.034982 0.096449 132 0.825286 0.081644 −0.012712 0.034466 0.094356 1330.830278 0.0800975 −0.0122255 0.033936 0.092323 134 0.835181 0.0785665−0.0117825 0.033392 0.090349 135 0.839997 0.0770515 −0.0113795 0.0328360.088431 136 0.844727 0.075552 −0.011016 0.032268 0.086568 137 0.8493730.074069 −0.010691 0.031689 0.08476 138 0.853937 0.0726035 −0.01040150.031101 0.083005 139 0.858419 0.0711535 −0.0101475 0.030503 0.081301140 0.862822 0.0697205 −0.0099265 0.029897 0.079647 141 0.8671470.068303 −0.009737 0.029283 0.07804 142 0.871395 0.0669035 −0.00957750.028663 0.076481 143 0.875568 0.06552 −0.009446 0.028037 0.074966 1440.879667 0.0641535 −0.0093415 0.027406 0.073495 145 0.883694 0.062804−0.009262 0.026771 0.072066 146 0.887649 0.061471 −0.009205 0.0261330.070676 147 0.891535 0.060155 −0.009171 0.025492 0.069326 148 0.8953520.058856 −0.009156 0.02485 0.068012 149 0.899101 0.057573 −0.0091610.024206 0.066734 150 0.902785 0.0563075 −0.0091795 0.023564 0.065487151 0.906403 0.055057 −0.009219 0.022919 0.064276 152 0.909958 0.053824−0.009272 0.022276 0.063096 153 0.91345 0.052608 −0.009342 0.0216330.06195 154 0.916881 0.0514065 −0.0094285 0.020989 0.060835 155 0.9202510.050222 −0.009532 0.020345 0.059754 156 0.923563 0.049055 −0.0096510.019702 0.058706 157 0.926816 0.0479025 −0.0097885 0.019057 0.057691158 0.930012 0.0467665 −0.0099425 0.018412 0.056709 159 0.9331510.045646 −0.010114 0.017766 0.05576 160 0.936236 0.044542 −0.0103020.01712 0.054844 161 0.939267 0.0434525 −0.0105085 0.016472 0.053961 1620.942244 0.0423785 −0.0107325 0.015823 0.053111 163 0.945169 0.04132−0.010974 0.015173 0.052294 164 0.948043 0.0402765 −0.0112305 0.0145230.051507 165 0.950867 0.039249 −0.011505 0.013872 0.050754 166 0.9536410.0382355 −0.0117955 0.01322 0.050031 167 0.956367 0.0372375 −0.01210350.012567 0.049341 168 0.959045 0.0362535 −0.0124295 0.011912 0.048683169 0.961676 0.0352835 −0.0127715 0.011256 0.048055 170 0.9642620.034328 −0.013132 0.010598 0.04746 171 0.966802 0.0333865 −0.01350650.00994 0.046893 172 0.969298 0.0324595 −0.0138955 0.009282 0.046355 1730.97175 0.031546 −0.014296 0.008625 0.045842 174 0.97416 0.0306475−0.0147095 0.007969 0.045357 175 0.976527 0.0297605 −0.0151405 0.007310.044901 176 0.978853 0.0288875 −0.0155875 0.00665 0.044475 177 0.9811390.028028 −0.01605 0.005989 0.044078 178 0.983385 0.0271805 −0.01652850.005326 0.043709 179 0.985591 0.0263475 −0.0170115 0.004668 0.043359180 0.98776 0.025527 −0.017497 0.004015 0.043024 181 0.989891 0.024719−0.017991 0.003364 0.04271 182 0.991984 0.023923 −0.018491 0.0027160.042414 183 0.994041 0.023139 −0.019007 0.002066 0.042146 184 0.9960620.022368 −0.019572 0.001398 0.04194 185 0.998048 0.0216075 −0.02019350.000707 0.041801 186 1 0.02086 −0.02086 0 0.04172 187 1 0.02086−0.02086 0 0.04172

FIG. 5F illustrates a two-dimensional view of an example embodiment ofvertical stabilizer 500. In the illustrated embodiment, verticalstabilizer 500 has a quadrilateral shape with four sides that include abase 501, tip 503, leading edge 502, and trailing edge 504, and theshape is tapered from the base to the tip. In some embodiments, verticalstabilizer 500 may be implemented using the following design parameters:a root chord of 43.0 inches, tip chord of 34.5 inches, total area of23.516 square feet, true span of 87.390 inches, maximum thickness(measured as a percentage of chord length) of 25% at the root and 30% atthe tip, leading edge sweep of 25.0 degrees, cant of 15.0 degrees,aspect ratio of 2.255, mean chord of 38.905 inches, and fixed angle ofincidence of 2.0 degrees. Moreover, in some embodiments, verticalstabilizer 500 may be positioned on a rotorcraft using the followingwaterline (WL), butt line (BL), and fuselage station (FS) locations:root 501 at WL 67.4; tip 503 at WL 151.812; leading edge and root corner505 a at FS 624.019 and BL 3.172; leading edge and tip corner 505 b atFS 664.600 and BL −19.187; trailing edge and root corner 505 c at FS667.019 and BL 3.172; trailing edge and tip corner 505 d at FS 699.100and BL −19.187; and a mean aerodynamic center (MAC) at FS 654.722, BL−7.599, and WL 108.070.

The various design and configuration parameters described for verticalstabilizer 500 are merely examples associated with a particularembodiment. In other embodiments and/or aircraft, vertical stabilizer500 may be implemented using varying design and configurationparameters.

FIGS. 6A-B illustrate performance graphs for an example embodiment ofthe vertical stabilizer of FIGS. 5A-F. The graph of FIG. 6A plots 603the lift coefficient 601 of the vertical stabilizer at varying angles ofattack 602, and the graph of FIG. 6B plots 613 the drag coefficient 611of the vertical stabilizer at varying angles of attack 612. As reflectedby the graphs of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the design of the vertical stabilizerof FIGS. 5A-F results in favorable aerodynamic qualities, including liftproduced laterally for yaw stability, anti-torque control, andoffsetting the tail rotor thrust in forward flight, while alsominimizing the flow separation and drag.

FIG. 7 illustrates a comparison of trailing edge shapes for a verticalstabilizer. The illustrated example provides a zoomed in view of twoairfoil shapes 710 a and 710 b. Airfoil shape 710 a has a blunt trailingedge 704 a (e.g., similar to the vertical stabilizer of FIGS. 5A-F),while airfoil shape 710 b has a pointed trailing edge 704 b. As shown inthe illustrated example, the pointed trailing edge 704 b of airfoilshape 710 b causes early airflow 705 separation because its curvature istoo sharp for the airflow 705 to stay attached, and this early airflowseparation results in increased drag. By contrast, the blunt trailingedge 704 a reduces the thickness tapering on the aft end (without havingto modify the desired chord length), and the reduced thickness taperingdelays airflow separation as far aft on the airfoil as possible, thusminimizing drag caused by airflow separation. Accordingly, in someembodiments, a vertical stabilizer may be implemented using a blunttrailing edge and reduced thickness tapering on the aft end to minimizeflow separation and reduce drag. Moreover, a blunt trailing edge canalso reduce manufacturing complexity.

Although several embodiments have been illustrated and described indetail, numerous other changes, substitutions, variations, alterations,and/or modifications are possible without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. Theparticular embodiments described herein are illustrative only, and maybe modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners, as wouldbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthe teachings herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate that the present disclosure may be readily used as a basisfor designing or modifying other embodiments for carrying out the samepurposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodimentsintroduced herein. For example, certain embodiments may be implementedusing more, less, and/or other components than those described herein.Moreover, in certain embodiments, some components may be implementedseparately, consolidated into one or more integrated components, and/oromitted. Similarly, methods associated with certain embodiments may beimplemented using more, less, and/or other steps than those describedherein, and their steps may be performed in any suitable order.

Numerous other changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, andmodifications may be ascertained to one of ordinary skill in the art andit is intended that the present disclosure encompass all such changes,substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications as fallingwithin the scope of the appended claims.

In order to assist the United States Patent and Trademark Office(USPTO), and any readers of any patent issued on this application, ininterpreting the claims appended hereto, it is noted that: (a) Applicantdoes not intend any of the appended claims to invoke paragraph (f) of 35U.S.C. § 112, as it exists on the date of the filing hereof, unless thewords “means for” or “steps for” are explicitly used in the particularclaims; and (b) Applicant does not intend, by any statement in thespecification, to limit this disclosure in any way that is not otherwiseexpressly reflected in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vertical stabilizer, comprising: an airfoilstructure configured to be mounted to an aircraft at a verticalorientation, wherein: the airfoil structure comprises a leading edge anda trailing edge, wherein the trailing edge is configured to form a bluntshaped edge; the airfoil structure further comprises a root end and atip end, wherein the airfoil structure is tapered from the root end tothe tip end; the airfoil structure is cambered; the airfoil structure isfurther configured to be mounted with a rotor; and the airfoil structureis further configured to house one or more internal componentsassociated with the aircraft.
 2. The vertical stabilizer of claim 1,wherein the aircraft comprises a rotorcraft.
 3. The vertical stabilizerof claim 1, wherein the one or more internal components comprise a tailrotor gear box.
 4. The vertical stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the oneor more internal components comprise a tail rotor drive shaft.
 5. Thevertical stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the vertical stabilizer isfurther configured to be mounted at a fixed angle of incidence.
 6. Thevertical stabilizer of claim 5, wherein the fixed angle of incidencecomprises an angle of 2 degrees.
 7. The vertical stabilizer of claim 1,wherein the vertical stabilizer is configured as a fixed structure withno adjustable control surfaces.
 8. The vertical stabilizer of claim 1,wherein a maximum thickness of the root end comprises 25% of a rootchord length.
 9. The vertical stabilizer of claim 1, wherein a maximumthickness of the tip end comprises 30% of a tip chord length.
 10. Thevertical stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the airfoil structure furthercomprises a right surface and a left surface, wherein a camber of theairfoil structure forms a first convex slope on the right surface, andwherein the camber of the airfoil structure further forms a secondconvex slope and a first concave slope on the left surface.
 11. Thevertical stabilizer of claim 10, wherein the camber of the airfoilstructure is configured to produce lift for yaw stability.
 12. Thevertical stabilizer of claim 10, wherein the camber of the airfoilstructure is configured to produce lift for anti-torque control.
 13. Thevertical stabilizer of claim 10, wherein the camber of the airfoilstructure is configured to reduce drag.
 14. The vertical stabilizer ofclaim 1, wherein the blunt shaped edge of the trailing edge isconfigured to reduce drag.
 15. A rotorcraft, comprising: a verticalstabilizer, wherein the vertical stabilizer comprises a vertical airfoilstructure, and wherein: the vertical airfoil structure comprises aleading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the trailing edge isconfigured to form a blunt shaped edge; the vertical airfoil structurefurther comprises a root end and a tip end, wherein the vertical airfoilstructure is tapered from the root end to the tip end; the verticalairfoil structure is cambered; the vertical airfoil structure is mountedwith a tail rotor; and the vertical airfoil structure houses one or moreinternal components associated with the rotorcraft.
 16. The rotorcraftof claim 15, wherein the one or more internal components comprise a tailrotor gear box.
 17. The rotorcraft of claim 15, wherein the one or moreinternal components comprise a tail rotor drive shaft.
 18. Therotorcraft of claim 15, wherein the vertical airfoil structure furthercomprises a right surface and a left surface, wherein a camber of thevertical airfoil structure forms a first convex slope on the rightsurface, and wherein the camber of the vertical airfoil structurefurther forms a second convex slope and a first concave slope on theleft surface.
 19. The rotorcraft of claim 15, wherein the blunt shapededge of the trailing edge is configured to reduce drag.
 20. An aircraft,comprising: a horizontal stabilizer; and a vertical stabilizer, whereinthe vertical stabilizer comprises a vertical airfoil structure, andwherein: the vertical airfoil structure comprises a leading edge and atrailing edge, wherein the trailing edge is configured to form a bluntshaped edge; the vertical airfoil structure further comprises a root endand a tip end, wherein the vertical airfoil structure is tapered fromthe root end to the tip end; the vertical airfoil structure is cambered;and the vertical airfoil structure houses one or more internalcomponents associated with the rotorcraft.